COVID-19: Western Australia to open borders from 3 March

After announcing that borders were to reopen on 5 February, Premier Mark McGowan rescinded that decision in the face of the onslaught of omicron in the Eastern States.

Many have lauded the decision, while others decried its reversal leaving a border opening date up in the air until now.

McGowen argues, with some credibility that the delay in reopening by a month allowed WA to increase vaccinations and booster shots, and has saved them tens and maybe hundreds of deaths. The support for this comes in a statistical analysis of rates of death between the eastern states and South Australia that maintained its mask-wearing and associated regulations throughout December rather than in NSW where most were suspended in early December.

Will it be 3 March?

McGowan is pretty adamant, however, he now has a record of changing the date.

What will you need to enter WA?

From Thursday, 3 March interstate arrivals will not need to quarantine but will have to show proof of a COVID-19 vaccine booster shot.

If you are arriving from overseas, then WA will welcome you if you meet federal government stipulations for double vaccination and have a rapid antigen test in the first 12 hours after arrival. Oh, and you will also need to apply for a G2G pass, along with police enforcement.

Hospitals ready for increased admissions?

One of the other concerns has been the readiness of the WA health system to deal with soaring infection rates, increased hospital admissions and additional strain on intensive care wards. McGowan is confident these measures have been implemented and are ready. I’d prefer to hear that confirmation from frontline staff myself.

2PAXfly Takeout

This is another timely reminder to wear your seatbelt when seated. Holding you close to your seat will protect you from the sort of injuries sustained on this flight, when unsecured passengers flew to the ceiling of the aircraft, and then came crashing down once the ‘drop’ ceased.

The hope will be that this is an anomaly – a ‘freak accident’ in casual parlance. If it is a systemic error either mechanical or electronic, then this is a larger concern for the airlines that fly Boeing Dreamliner 787 aircraft. Let’s hope it isn’t. If it is, it will pile on the woes to Boeing’s existing stack.

As long as the state is medically ready and maintains various mask, vaccination and social distancing rules, I think this can work. I am not so sure Western Australians are ready for it though.

I wish them luck, and hope they maintain as many restrictions outside of borders that are necessary to keep the virus under control in their communities, from the populous Perth, to the isolation of the Kimberley, and the delicate nature of some remote communities.